LAVORO D'AMORE

This was the ninth studio album from Roz Vitalis, released in 2015, and until I played it this was the only album of theirs that I hadn't heard from the previous ten years. Although the line-up has been through some changes here and there, by now it was relatively stable, being the same as it had been in 2012 with just the addition of trumpeter Alexey Gorshkov. Vladislav Korotkikh (flute) is also here in the band, and although there are no additional strings on this release, the use of woodwind and brass as key players gives the music additional dynamics and strength. The album follows the normal Roz Vitalis mix of modern classical with RIO and elements of krautrock, often (although not always) led and dominated by the keyboards of Ivan Rozmainsky. The music maintains the melodic continuity that one has come to expect, yet can also be challenging, but never in the way that feels oppressive or over the top as can often be the case with Art Zoyd or Can.

I found this yet another really interesting and fascinating work, with the use of trumpet often incredibly key to the feel of the whole piece, and there is certainly an impression of the guys playing in a circle, all looking at each other for the musical cues as to where to next take the music. The use of two guitars allows for more layering, certainly in a live environment, but there are complete passages where both guitarists seem to have laid down their instruments and have gone for a break, allowing piano, trumpet and xylophone to take over. The complexity of the arrangements, combined with the way the instruments have been set (the bass has a tone Chris Squire or Geezer Butler would have been proud of, at the right volume it can knock down buildings), would make one think that this is a hard album to listen to, but the experimental nature of the music is combined with melody so that it is instantly accessible and totally engaging. There is no doubt that Roz Vitalis are one of the most exciting and innovative bands coming out of Russia at present.